01) Prairie Fest Reflections

"We learn by doing when we reflect on what we have done."

American philosopher, psychologist and education reformer, John Dewey (1859 - 1952), wrote those words a long time ago. He believed that learning comes not from experience alone but reflecting on that experience. So as the dust of Prairie Fest #10 settles, it's time to reflect and see which way the wind blows.

The Prairie Fest planning committe will be reflecting on "what we have done" over the next few weeks. Our reasons for hosting such a sprawling event are simple: To promote awareness of and interpret Tandy Hills as a recreation and education resource. We believe that such awareness leads to Sponsorship and Membership support that help fund the critical restoration efforts. Members and volunteers in cooperation with the City of Fort Worth staff are the stewards of this amazing place.

We are always interested in what you think. Does Prairie Fest help accomplish the goals set out above? Should there be another Prairie Fest? How can we best continue that effort to inspire public stewardship? Let us know what you think as you reflect on the photos below or as you hike the beautiful spring prairie. YOUR local prairie.

DY

April 25, 2015 was a beautiful day to be at Tandy Hills.

02) Prairie Fest in Pictures

Chris Emory is the Official Prairie Fest Photographer. You can see a few of his pics below.

Keynote speaker, Lon Burnam, fired up the crowd urging them to vote, volunteer and donate.

03) Field Report - April

In no particular oreder, here are a few pics of what I observed at Tandy Hills in April.

The wet spring has brought out lots of snake reports, including the 6' Rat Snake seen on the Main Trail. (Pic by Bill Yates)

Smooth Green Snake also seen on the Main Trail. (Pic by Greg Hughes)

A gigantic flock of birds (cranes?) over Tandy Hills in mid-April.

A unified flock of American White Pelicans graced the Tandy Hills on Prairie Fest day.

A heavy fog creeped over the prairie on April 18 creating a mystical view.

A foggy prairie is a beautiful thing.

The foggy conditions brought out thousands of snails.

Texas Star.

Prairie Wild Hyacinth on parade in April.

04) Get Your Drone On

Prairie Fest was visited by a Skycraft APV and their video-mounted drone. Thanks to Chris Jenseth for the footage and to Prairie fest performer, A Taste of Herb, for providing the music soundtrack. You'll love THIS.

05) Monarch Watch @ Tandy Hills

Tandy Hills Natural Area is proud to have been certified as a Monarch Waystation by MonarchWatch.org as part of their Bring Back the Monarchs campaign. Tandy Hills is blessed with at least three varieties of Milkweed, a host plant for Monarch larvae and enormous nectar resources necessary to sustain the migrations of butterflies. Our nifty new sign will soon be posted near the trailhead at Tandy Hills. Check out the Monarch Watch website here to see what you can do to help this threatened species:

07) Merces Que Conspicitur...

...es Quantum Venumdata. Merchandise which is seen is half sold, as a wise man once told me. Check out the new prairie wildflower bandanas and Prairie Fest 10th anniversary commemorative T-shirts and you'll take care of the other half of the equation. Operators are standing by for your orders.

Bandana design by Jen Schultes from illustrations by Debora Young.

Get your 10th anniversary T-shirt while supplies last.

08) Prairie Proverb

"Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the Earth has gladly received the embraces of the Sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love."

"Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread. A civilization which destroys what little remains of the wild, the spare, the original, is cutting itself off from its origins and betraying the principle of civilization itself."